From red fortress to fragile opposition, Kerala Assembly opens amid power shift
Thiruvananthapuram, May 21
The swearing-in of the newly elected members of the 16th Kerala Legislative Assembly began on Thursday morning, marking the formal start of a House transformed by one of the biggest political upheavals in the state's recent history.
The proceedings commenced at 9 a.m. after Pro Tem Speaker G. Sudhakaran, who was sworn in by Kerala Governor Rajendra V. Arlekar on Wednesday, took his seat in the Assembly.
Legislators were called in alphabetical order to take the oath.
The first member to be sworn in was Fisheries Minister V.E. Abdul Gafoor of the Indian Union Muslim League.
But beyond the routine constitutional ceremony, Thursday's sitting reflected the stunning political reversal scripted by Kerala voters in the April 2026 Assembly election.
The treasury benches, once dominated by the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, now overflowed with confidence and celebration as a record 102 legislators of the Congress-led UDF occupied the ruling side of the 140-member House.
Laughter, greetings and visible camaraderie marked the atmosphere among the newly empowered coalition.
In sharp contrast, the opposition benches wore a subdued look.
Reduced to just 38 members, the opposition includes 35 legislators from the Left Democratic Front and three from the BJP.
The scale of the Left's collapse remains staggering.
From 99 members in the outgoing Assembly, the alliance lost 64 sitting legislators in the election, a verdict widely interpreted as public anger against the perceived arrogance and over-centralisation associated with former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after a decade in power.
While Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is listed at 105, his predecessor Vijayan is listed at 133.
The morning also had its lighter and symbolic moments. BJP leaders Rajeev Chandrasekhar, V. Muraleedharan and B. B. Gopakumar walked together from Martyrs' Corner to the Assembly, drawing attention from onlookers and party workers alike.
Meanwhile, Congress legislator Chandy Oommen, who frequently campaigned on a bicycle during the polls, stayed true to his style, cycling to the Assembly even on oath-taking day.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Honestly, I'm a bit skeptical. The Congress-led UDF has a history of infighting. Will they stay united this time? With 102 seats, the expectations are sky-high. The real test will be if they can deliver on jobs and infrastructure. Chandy Oommen cycling to the Assembly is a nice touch though—brings back memories of his father! 🚴♂️
The contrast between the treasury and opposition benches is striking. LDF reduced to just 35 seats! That's a massive fall from 99. Pinarayi Vijayan's style of governance definitely backfired—too much centralization and too little listening to local voices. But I hope the new government doesn't become complacent. Power shifts fast in Kerala politics.
Good to see BJP getting 3 seats at least—gives some diversity in the opposition. Rajeev Chandrasekhar walking to the Assembly was a smart photo-op. But the real question is: will the UDF address the issues of the common Malayali? Rising prices, unemployment, and the gold smuggling case hangover. Let's hope for real change, not just slogans.
Watching the swearing-in ceremony, I felt a mix of emotions. The Left's collapse is unprecedented, but let's not forget they did some good work in education and health. However, the arrogance and corruption allegations sealed their fate. Satheesan has a golden opportunity—if he messes this up, the voters will punish him too. Time for accountable governance!
K Kavya N I'm from Kerala We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.